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William Mordido knows his way around a kitchen. Just last year the Melbourne-based, Auckland-raised chef was named winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef competition for the Pacific region, beating out nine other top chefs with his reinterpretation of a traditional Filipino broth. He was also the first New Zealand chef in more than 20 years to achieve a winning place at the prestigious International Jeunes des Rotisseurs Competition and was named Restaurant Association NZ Chef of the Year in 2014.

After launching his successful Buko dessert degustation in Auckland last year, Mordido is bringing the pop-up to Mt Albert's Alberton. The well-preserved 1800s mansion will serve as a fitting location for the Alice in Wonderland-inspired degustation. Diners at the Valentine's Day event will be treated to four dishes inspired by characters from the timeless fantasy. Finer details of each dish are being kept under wraps as a surprise for guests, though Mordido says that inspiration will also come from the flavours he grew up with between New Zealand and Philippines. Each course will be paired with teas from Noble & Savage.

Meaning 'young coconut' in Tagalong, Buko is a pop-up restaurant that doesn't have a fixed premises. Mordido says that the aims is to utilise the very best of what the area has to offer, paying respects to traditional and modern techniques and flavour combinations, with a special nod to his upbringing and ongoing inspirations.

The event will begin with canapés and a walking tour of the Alberton mansion.